Green Spaces Fund awards share of £500,000 to three Stockport projects to improve access to nature

Greater Manchester’s Green Spaces Fund has announced the 19 community-led projects across the city-region that will receive a share of £500,000 from its latest funding round, including three in Stockport.

Since its launch in 2022, the Green Spaces Fund has invested approximately £3.5 million into over 120 community projects across the Greater Manchester, including orchards, green alleyways, allotments, community gardens, a tree trail and an urban farm. The fund directly supports the ambitions of the Greater Manchester’s recently launched region-wide strategy which calls for a greener, fairer and more resilient city region.

In its latest £500,000 funding award, 19 new projects have been chosen to help increase the amount of accessible green space in Greater Manchester, tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency, and empower more people to get into nature. Stockport projects to receive the fund’s backing are:

• Cascade Garden, Easy Peel Studio CIC
• From Car Park to Food Park – A Community Space For Rest and Play, An Action Commons CIC
• All Aboard for Brinnington – Murals, Benches and Blooms, Marple Youth Project CIC

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“I’m really proud to announce the latest round of Green Spaces Fund winners, building on the strong momentum we’re seeing right across Greater Manchester.

“Through this fund, we’ve now supported 122 community groups, focusing investment on the areas that need quality green space most. These projects are helping us respond to the climate and nature emergencies, while creating welcoming spaces that bring people together and support healthier, happier lives.”

Daveen Wallis, Co-founder of the Greater Manchester Environment Trust, said:

“The Green Spaces Fund is helping communities across the city region reconnect with nature, and it’s been great to see so many brilliant ideas come through this year. We were lucky enough to receive corporate contributions from Together Money and Autotrader in this latest round, and we’re hoping to attract further corporate investment to make the Green Spaces Fund even better.”

The new Green Spaces Fund projects will help engage more people in nature, improving their health and wellbeing as well as their local natural environment.